Obesity has been linked to an increased risk for at least 13 types of cancers. A new study has found that these types of cancers may be increasing disproportionately among younger people in the United States.
During the past 17 years, new diagnoses of obesity-associated cancers increased particularly among those aged 50–64 years, while rates of new diagnoses decreased among those aged 65 years or older. In the past, obesity-associated cancer developed more commonly among older individuals.
The shift in obesity-associated cancers was even more pronounced among racial and ethnic minorities, with black and Hispanic women and men experiencing the highest percentage increase.
"Our study indicates that it is critically important for physicians to fully evaluate cancer symptoms even in younger patients, especially when they are obese," author Siran M. Koroukian, PhD, told Medscape Medical News via email.
Koroukian is an associate professor at Case Western Reserve University and the director of the Population Cancer Analytics Shared Resource at Case Comprehensive Cancer Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
The findings highlight the need for individualized screening and interventions for fighting obesity.
"Physicians should urge young patients to maintain normal weight because obesity promotes or accelerates cancer. The literature suggests that obesity-associated cancers in younger patients may be more aggressive and present at more advanced stages, requiring more intensive therapy," she emphasized.
